Introduction

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Farouk Systems

Farouk Hair Care Systems
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There has been a building buzz about a
new hair obsession known as Brazilian Keratin Treatment
(BKT).

Whenever there is a new chemical hair treatment
released, there tends to be a lot of questions and answers hair
consumers need to know. As always, there's always consumer
misinformation and conflicting information even from professionals.

Why? For years a popular chemical hair
straightening treatment for naturally curly and wavy hair has been
the Japanese straightening treatments which have a variety of
marketing tags or labels, but basically all achieve the same
results.

Brazilian Keratin Treatments (PKT), Brazilian or
keratin based hair treatments is the name given to a range of
products which utilize similar treatment methodology, chemicals and
provide common results.

Coppola Keratin Smoothing Therapy™ and Brazilian
Blowout™ are just two of the different specific brand names, often
used inappropriately, to refer to the whole category of hair
relaxing treatments under the Brazilian Keratin Treatment (BKT)
umbrella.

As the Japanese straightening fad has declined over
the years, there has been the rise of a variety of chemical based
hair treatments known by a variety of names such as:

Brazilian hair treatments may have different names
and slightly different descriptions depending on the manufacturer of
the product and how they market their Brazilian hair solution.

However, all of them infuse the hair with keratin
and utilize a range of chemicals to open the cuticles and allow the
keratin to be pushed onto the hair. Some of the treatments
utilize formaldehyde and some use aldehyde or similar compositions.

Although there are some Brazilian Keratin Treatments
which claim to be formaldehyde, aldehyde or toxic chemical free, be
sure to read the list of ingredients for yourself.

How Is Brazilian Chemical Hair Treatments Different
Than Japanese Straightening Treatments?

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Farouk Systems

Farouk Hair Care Systems
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When applied and processed properly,
Japanese hair straightening, also known as Yuko or as
Thermal Reconditioning will chemically straighten
naturally curly and wavy hair. Japanese or
Yuko straightening is similar to chemical hair
straightening techniques which originate during
pre-World War I years.

A major difference between Brazilian chemical hair
treatments and Japanese chemical treatments is the results.
While Japanese straightening techniques leave the hair stick
straight from roots to ends, Brazilian treatments do not completely
straighten the hair.

In many respects Brazilian hair treatments are more
like chemical hair relaxer than chemical hair straighteners.
The difference between relaxing and straightening is that relaxing
softens over time and does not leave a line of growth demarcation
which chemical straightening does.

Chemically relaxed hair which can be worn straight
can also still be easily worn naturally curly and wavy.
Chemically straightened hair is usually worn straight since it's
much harder to wear it curly or wavy after it has been straightened.

The Brazilian Blowout™

A popular version of Brazilian hair treatments is
The Brazilian Blowout™ which celebrities like Nicole Richie have
embraced. Another popular method is known as Brazilian
or Keratin Smoothing.

After hair has been treated with a Brazilian
smoothing, blowout or similar treatment, the hair can still be worn
curly or wavy without frizz. Treated hair will still have
volume, body and movement which does not happen after Japanese
straightening which leave tresses stick straight.

Brazilian treated hair can be air dried to enhance
natural texture or it can be blow dried with or without a brush to
define natural curls and waves. Brazilian treated hair usually
dries much faster than hair which has not been treated whether you
air dry or blow dry.

Formaldehyde Or Carcinogenic Chemical Free?

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TrimSafe

TrimSafe Razors
Carmel International Corporation
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Over time, like most chemical relaxers,
Brazilian Keratin treated hair will slowly return to its
natural hair texture. Ultimately there will be no
obvious difference between hair which has grown in and
the hair which was treated.

Although there is a lot of buzz about formaldehyde
free Brazilian treatments, most of the formulations either have
formaldehyde or a similar chemical such as aldehyde. While
aldehyde is not officially formaldehyde, it is in the same family
and can cause the same toxic results.

Although Brazilian treatments are sometimes
advertised as formaldehyde or carcinogenic free, keep in mind these
Brazilian style hair treatments require chemicals to achieve the
desired results.

Any type of chemical hair straightening, relaxing or
smoothing requires chemicals to alter the texture of the hair.
Don't believe otherwise and check the facts.

Training In The Technique

My own first training experience was with the
Coppola Keratin Complex™
smoothing system (a type of Brazilian hair treatment system) which
was an all day course which as a licensed stylist I took through one
of the Dallas authorized providers. There were 20 hairdressers
in the class along with several hair models. The models had a
range of naturally curly, wavy and frizzy hair.

During the class all of the hairdressers had the
opportunity to watch the entire process from beginning or actually
participate in each of the steps of the treatments.

Courtesy of
Nicole Ritchie

DailyCeleb.com
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After the
Coppola Keratin Smoothing Therapy™,
I took additional classes in keratin related and
Brazilian related systems. They are all similar in
both the processing, composition of the chemicals used
and the results produced.

While there are some differences including how long
you have to keep newly treated hair bone dry and whether or not you
can use clips or pony elastics during the post treatment period, the
treatments are all based upon the same principles.

Celebrities Who Have Had A Brazilian Blowout™

Nicole Richie has blogged about her Brazilian
Blowout™ treatments. Other celebrities who are known to have
had the treatments include Lindsay Lohan, Ashley Tisdale and Halle
Berry.

The Brazilian Blowout™ is considered by some to be
the most popular keratin treatment on the market at the current
time. Of course there is a wide range of celebrities who have
had their hair chemically straightened including Geena Davis.

Brazilian Blowout™ Differences

Brazilian Blowout™ is formulated with a light cream
base and is scented with an açaí aroma. It has the distinction
of being one of the more recent Brazilian Keratin treatment options.

Like many relaxers and similar brands, the Brazilian
Blowout™ is semi-permanent which means your tresses, over time,
slowly revert back to your natural hair texture. Also, as your
new hair grows in from the roots, there is no line of demarcation.
The treatment slowly wears off the hair at approximately the same
rate as your hair grows back in which is an average of 1/2 to 1".

Unlike several of the Keratin and Brazilian
treatments available on the market, the Brazilian Blowout™ product
allows you to wash your hair the same night you have the treatment.
This is not true of other similar products. Most keratin or
related Brazilian treatments generally require a 24-96 hour waiting
period while the keratin settles down into the hair.

There is also no restrictions with the Brazilian
Blowout™ about putting hair in a ponytail or using bobby pins or
clips which exist with other methods. Many of the Brazilian
Keratin treatments requireyou adhere to strict precautions to ensure
success of the keratin treatment.

Making Informed Choices For You And Your Hair

One of the biggest concerns hair consumers have with
any type of hair relaxer, hair straightener or Brazilian treatment
is the type of chemicals used to alter the hair's texture.
There is no such thing as a 100% all natural hair texture changing
treatment.

Always do your homework. Research all the pros
and cons of any chemical hair relaxing or straightening or Brazilian
treatment on the web. Don't agree to a treatment on a whim
while sitting in your hairdresser's chair.

Always seek out a certified expert in Brazilian
treatments. When approriate, ask for a brochure which explains
the treatment and provides a list of the ingredients. If
treatment information is not available, ask to watch an actual
treatment being performed and ask for a list of ingredients.

Be sure to understand your own hair type, texture,
condition and length before you decide whether chemical
straightening or relaxing or smoothing is appropriate.
Regardless of what the experts say, anytime you apply any type of
chemical treatment to your hair, there will be a change.
Whether the change is good or not is relative to your hair.

Chemical straightening, relaxing or any similar type
of re-texturizing is not appropriate for women who are pregnant or
still nursing.

Safety Of Brazilian Treatments

Most Keratin Brazilian treatments including The
Brazilian Blowout™ are generally considered to be safe for
chemically colored or highlighted hair. Most Brazilian
experts, the treatment can also be applied to bleached tresses.

Studies have shown the porosity which results from
prior chemical treatments will extend the life of any keratin
treatments applied on top of pre-treated strands.

Hair color should be applied before a keratin
treatment since color can not be applied for a minimum of two weeks
after the keratin treatment. The treatment is known to cause
accelerated color fade. Ask your colorist to adjust
appropriately.

Expected Results

Super-curly hair will relax to a much softer texture
and looser curl. Blowing her long, thick hair straight used to take
90 minutes, but now takes only 20 and has incredible shine!

Most curly hair will relax into a flatter wave when
air-dried. If blow dried, hair will dry sleek and silky smooth
more quickly and easily then before the treatment.

Naturally wavy hair or hair that is frizzy or puffy
will generally come through the treatment with much straighter
strands with natural bend. When air dried, waves will be more
compressed but softer and without frizz or puff.

As a general rule Brazilian treatments will not
leave the hair stick straight and flat like other chemical
straightening or thermal reconditioning treatments. Like more
relaxers, it does leave the hair with body while reducing bulk.
The natural curly, wavy texture will be less puffy and will lay
flatter. Unlike chemical straightening, the hair will not be
limp, flat or stiff.

Life Of Brazilian Keratin Treatments

The life of a Brazilian Keratin Treatments depends
on a variety of factors including the following:

Natural texture (curls, waves, kinks, combo)

Curl, kink or wave pattern

Current condition (normal, damaged)

Length of hair

Prior chemical treatments

Type of treatment performed

Brazilian aftercare regime

Speed of hair regrowth from roots

Frequency of hair cleansing, conditioning and
heat styling treatments

Keratin based Brazilian treatments can last anywhere
from 6-16 weeks. For some the time will be less or more
depending on a wide range of factors.

If Keratin treatments are re-applied before the
prior treatment has completely faced, the keratin will build up on
the hair and will actually last longer.

Post-Op Care

Aftercare regimens are highly recommended.
Usually the after care includes a special shampoo preferably free of
sulfates and sodium chloride, which can strip the Brazilian keratin
treatments off faster.

The Brazilian Blowout™ acai post-treatment products
contain the same hydrolyzed keratin and botanical extracts included
in the original treatment. Each time you use them you will be
protecting the original treatment while refreshing and enhancing the
results.

Regardless of the Brazilian treatment you have
applied to your hair, it's important to saturate Brazilian treated
hair with tap water before swimming in pool, lake or ocean water.
Rinse well after leaving the water. Shampoo and condition as
soon as possible afterward.

Aside from the Brazilian aftercare program, you can
use any styling products you like. I would caution against ‘sea
spray’ type styling products; make sure you read the label to see if
it contains sodium chloride before using.

Frequency of Brazilian Touch-ups

One of the advantages of a Brazilian treatment is
that instead of experiencing root re-growth the treatment
effects fade away in approximately the same amount of time as hair
grows in from the roots. Your hair will eventually return to
its natural texture.

Another advantage of the Brazilian treatments are
that they can be re-applied to all of the hair and not just the new
growth. You will not have the agony of dealing with growing
out a chemical straightener that combines curly roots with stick
straight strands.

Hair Damage Factors

On most people a Brazilian style treatment is
non-damaging if applied and processed correctly. However, some
hair consumers have experienced a range of challenging reactions
ranging from minor to major hair loss, scalp irritation or damaged
strands.

If you experience a challenging reaction from any
type of Brazilian keratin treatments its a given you should not have
them reapplied in the future. While it's possible different
brands will create unique results, there's no guarantee switching
product manufacturers will change the outcome.

Some experts believe repeated Brazilian treatments
will improve the condition of hair over time. This is due to
the added protein and flexibility the treatments provide.
The treatments may also help prevent split ends from ripping off as
well as preventing new ones from showing up. This treatment
can be done again and again without damage.

For tightly curled or kinky hair Brazilian
treatments may be performed once and then repeated 3 weeks later for
a more dramatic result. The maintenance treatments can be
applied every 6-8 weeks. then maintained every 6-8
weeks. The only drawback is that it’s addictive!

Cost Factors

The price for an average head of curly, wavy or
kinky hair, by an experienced certified stylist, will range from
$350 to $600 in most cities. The higher the demand for the
treatments, the higher the cost.

Be sure to get a detailed cost estimate of the total
cost before you proceed. Clarify if there are hidden costs to
the process that are no obvious. If you decide to combine any
other hair services such as a pre-treatment conditioning or cut, get
an itemized cost estimate.

Summary

The price for an average head of curly, wavy or
kinky hair, by an experienced certified stylist, will range from
$350 to $600 in most cities. The higher the demand for the
treatments, the higher the cost.